Minister of Trade: Employment Data Positive

Unemployment stands at 7.2%, roughly equal to the 2011 average of 7% and lower than the average rates in 2009 and 2010. Workplace participation is up, with 63.5% of Israelis in the workforce this year compared to 62.5% in 2010 and 2011.

In total, he said, the number of people in the workforce has grown by 314,000 in two years.